Results 1,061-1,080 of 12,487 for speaker:John O'Donoghue

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: International comparisons are far less simple than initially appears to be the case. Approaches to what is classified as "arts" spend can differ quite dramatically from one jurisdiction and context to another, for example. It must also be said that jurisdictions with very high spending across the board also tend to have very high tax rates, and the latter is something that we do not have...

Written Answers — Price Increases: Price Increases (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I refer the Deputy to the text of my detailed reply on this matter to Question No. 5 on 13 October 2005 and further reply to Question No. 27 on 17 November 2005. I am aware of concerns being expressed by some about the risk of excessive prices being charged by certain elements of the Irish tourism and hospitality industry in the context of the Ryder Cup 2006. However, as I have previously...

Written Answers — Tourism Policy: Tourism Policy (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The nature of the tourism mandate is such that there are a number of important strategic results areas that require other Departments and agencies to deliver on Government policy. One of the key cross-cutting issues is the pursuit of an environmental policy that accommodates the sensitive development and expansion of tourism, with opportunities for the development of rural tourism and the...

Written Answers — National Concert Hall: National Concert Hall (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Deputy Kenny's Parliamentary Question No. 6 of 17 November 2005. I am pleased to be in a position to say that the Government has approved, in principle, the development of a new national concert hall on a public private partnership basis. A provision of €42 million has been included in the 2006-2010 capital envelope of my Department for site purchase. The...

Written Answers — National Conference Centre: National Conference Centre (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 31 together. On 17 November last, I informed the House that, following approval by the Government, I had the previous day announced that Spencer Dock international conference centre consortium was being invited to become the provisional preferred tenderer for the provision of a national conference centre in Dublin. The decision had been taken by the...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 77 together. The increased prosperity of Irish residents in recent years coupled with the greatly improved access to foreign tourist destinations has undoubtedly led to sustained growth in the overseas holiday market. Irish consumers have more choice than ever before. They are generally taking more than one holiday a year, although the evidence suggests...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The national lottery-funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations and, in certain circumstances, schools and colleges, throughout the country. Projects must be of a capital nature and be directly related to the provision of sporting and physical recreation facilities. This means that the project must...

Written Answers — Stadium Development: Stadium Development (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 30 and 32 together. As the House is aware, in January 2004 the Government agreed to provide funding of €191million to the joint IRFU-FAI project for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road stadium. The new design for the stadium, which I was very pleased to launch on Monday 17 October 2005, has been created in consultation with the different stakeholder...

Written Answers — Theatre Relocation: Theatre Relocation (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: In December of last year the Government approved the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre at George's Dock and agreed that my Department, in conjunction with the Minister for Finance, the Office of Public Works and the National Development Finance Agency would examine possible PPP procurement models. An examination of the possible PPP procurement models is currently being undertaken and I will...

Written Answers — Sports Facilities: Sports Facilities (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: A national audit of local sports facilities is being undertaken as part of the development of a long-term strategic plan for the provision of sports facilities. The inter-agency steering group established to oversee this work has decided to focus on establishing a comprehensive database in respect of national and regional sports facilities as a first step in meeting this commitment. My...

Written Answers — Tourist Accommodation: Tourist Accommodation (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: As I have previously advised the House, I do not have responsibility for the registration and listing of tourist accommodation facilities. This is a day-to-day function of Fáilte Ireland under the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003. However, I am aware that the bed and breakfast and guest house sectors have experienced a loss in market share in recent years for a number of...

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The tax exemption for artists will continue to be of great benefit to artists in Ireland. An adjustable cap of €250,000 on annual tax-exempt earnings has been applied but this will have no impact whatsoever on the vast majority of artists, who earn well below that amount. The feedback available to me indicates that artists in general very much welcome the retention of the scheme,...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: Based on extensive research carried out on behalf of our tourism agencies, it is clear that Ireland's heritage and culture are a major selling point for overseas and domestic holidaymakers. In 2004, 2.3 million overseas visitors interacted with some aspect of the heritage and culture product. It is also the most popular tourism product among domestic tourists. Both Tourism Ireland and Fáilte...

Written Answers — Film Industry Development: Film Industry Development (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I regard the film sector as an essential part of our national cultural life. It has also been demonstrated conclusively that the film sector can bring significant economic benefits to this country. However, like any other traded sector, it is subject to the dynamics of international competition, including exchange rates, lower cost structures and new and enhanced incentives elsewhere. The...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The national lottery funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis. Applications for funding under the 2006 programme were invited through advertisements in the press on 27 and 28 November 2005. The...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The national lottery funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis. The closing date for applications under the 2006 sports capital programme was Friday, 20 January 2006, with in excess of 1,300...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The national lottery funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis. Schools may only apply for funding jointly with local sports clubs or community groups and must show a clear need for the proposed...

Written Answers — Arts Plan: Arts Plan (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: Government policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all their forms, increase access to and participation in the arts, and make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life. Responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is primarily devolved to the Arts Council, an independent body funded by the Department and independent in...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The national lottery funded sports capital programme, which is administered by the Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis. Applications for funding under the 2006 programme were invited through advertisements in the press on 27 and 28 November 2005. The...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (31 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 383 and 386 together. The national lottery-funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis. The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the funding allocated...